MINING REVIVAL

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 131, 1 December 1930, Page 16

MINING REVIVAL

PROSPECTS IN OTAGO

■'■; (Special to "Tha Evening Post.") :: '.. . DIINBDIN, 29th November. •The optimistic'note was struck by the Minister'of Mines (the Hon. A. J. Murdoch) at Auckland last Monday as to the early revival of the mining industry in the North ..Island, as well as the South Island, has been very well received in the Tuapeka district. For a long time a deep-seated feeling has prevailed that neither the present Government nor its predecessor was very sympathetic towards gold mining aa an industry. The gentlemen who filled ,the.portfolio of Mines: were,generally regarded by those engaged in the industry as "square pegs in round lioles," as very little assistance or encouragement was given to prospecting or. development work. A change, however, apparently has come over the scene, and it is gratifying to think that Miv Murdoch, tho present. Minister of Miaes/haa. vision. He has rightly sized tip the position, and is prepared in*his official.capacity to aid in the developjiient.of the mining.industry, which has lieea so long in a moribund condition in, the Dominion.. In Tuapoka and neighbouring districts there is still plenty of scope for alluvial prospecting, as well as for opening ;up and testing, innumerable quarts^ lodes. Very little practical work las been done in the district ia the direction, of quartz mining. Many years ago a reef was opened up on Gabriel's side of Wetherstone's ridge, and operations for a timo wero carried on with niost satisfactory results. Unfortunately, poor country was struck, and after »~tsmo:the mine was abandoned. Two or. three attempts were made to regain » lode which had been lost, but want of sufficient capita) prevented the operations be>ng carried to a successful issue. Outside-of the Gabriel's area there is ia vast tract of country overlooking : the Wetherstone's cement basin that has never been systematically prospected, though it is known to; carry insjumerable quartz loaders. The same remuvks apply to tho country to-the south-cast between Wetherstone's find Waitahuna, and thence onward to Table Hill and the Canada Kecf country. : In-that quarter rich stone was struck - and crushed, and it is .regrettable that the reefs there were abandoned trithout getting thorough and systematic testing.